Ron Hoffland

Madison - Ronald Hoffland died peacefully at Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin surrounded by the love of his family following a cardiac event shoveling snow the preceding week.

Ron was born on May 12, 1944 in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. He graduated valedictorian of his class from Soldiers Grove High School and from Platteville State University (UW-Platteville) in 1967 with a Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. He married Kathy (Schroeder) in 1968 and had been a resident of Madison since 1970.

For most of his professional career Ron resurfaced and built streets and roads. He worked for the City of Madison Engineering Division for many years, as well as private engineering firms and finally the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. Ron served as a mentor to many engineering students over his career and was proud of his time working with youth when a member at Midvale Community Lutheran Church. He was a great sports fan. He played basketball in high school, semi-pro baseball in college and in Madison community softball leagues. His love for high school basketball had taken him to the State Boys Basketball Tournament in Madison for 58 years, having missed only one year. The last 29 of those seasons was spent watching with his good friend Mike Daily. Ron was an outstanding gardener and tended his "postage stamp" corner plot with love and detail. He loved the solitude of fishing at the cabin and spent many enjoyable hours simply sorting through the flies and lures in his tackle boxes. Each fall he lightly tramped through the Kickapoo Valley and the Coulee Region, hunting deer with his brother-in-law Bill. When he wasn't in the garden, woods or watching a ball game, you would find him in the kitchen creating mouthwatering dishes, especially his cabin breakfasts, or at his desk surrounded by St. Louis Cardinals memorabilia and his collection of dream catchers. He was often accompanied by his cat Finn, who would take these opportunities to bask under the desk lamp.

Ron's early retirement provided much time to devote to his family and he had a close and helping relationship with his children, who will miss his daily presence but forever hold him in their hearts.

Ron leaves behind his wife of 47 years Kathy (Schroeder) of Madison, son Kris (Chad Lind) Hoffland of Madison, daughter Jodee (Nick) Dushack of Madison, and his beloved cat Finn. Also, sister Joanne (Bill) Thoftne, niece Laura Thoftne, sister-in-law Sandy Hoffland, nephews Scott (Jennifer) Hoffland and Derrick (Kristin) Hoffland, mother-in-law Bernice Schroeder and brother-in-law Don Schroeder and many other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Howard Hoffland, mother Merle Hoffland (McDaniel), brother Roger Hoffland and father-in-law Harvey Schroeder.


Special thanks to the amazing doctors, nurses, chaplains and staff at Meriter Hospital ICU. The dignity and care provided to Ron and his family will never be forgotten. Also, many thanks to the Pastors at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and to our dear friend Kelly Thompson for her loving support.

Memorial Services will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5701 Raymond Rd., Madison, WI 53711 at 11 a.m., on Saturday, January 23, 2016. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Angel's Wish, 161 Horizon Dr., Suite 106, Verona, WI 53593 or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 5701 Raymond Rd., Madison, WI 53711. Indicate food pantry in the memo line.

"It's always exciting to open the door and go out into the garden for the first time on any day."
-Marion Cram


Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road
Madison, WI 53705
608-238-3434